Louis Tomlinson and Coldplay back Marcus Rashford’s school meals campaign

Stars urged followers to sign petition calling for end to child poverty

Celebrities have voiced their support for Marcus Rashford’s school meals campaign on Twitter.

The footballer’s campaign calls for the government to provide free meals for vulnerable children throughout school holidays. Boris Johnson is facing growing outrage among the public at the government’s refusal to extend the support.

Louis Tomlinson backed the campaign on Twitter, sharing a petition for the cause, titled “End child food poverty – no child should be going hungry”, that has almost one million signatures.

The One Direction star wrote: “Watching what @MarcusRashford is doing is incredible. Please do take the time to sign if you live in the UK. Our children are our future.”  

Coldplay thanked Rashford for his "fantastic campaign", adding: “If you're a UK resident, please add your voice.”

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess described Rashford as a “true hero of our times”.

Nigella Lawson tweeted: “Believe it or not, some of you still haven’t signed @MarcusRashford’s petition. Don’t let me ask you again.”

Rashford successfully urged the government to provide vouchers for vulnerable schoolchildren during the summer and expressed his disappointment last week when the House of Commons voted against extending the scheme for the upcoming half-term and beyond.  

Businesses and councils across the country have been filling Rashford’s Twitter feed offering free food to those struggling to make ends meet in the midst of the pandemic.